When 14-year-old Grayson Albers needed a partner to help himsell his homemade lemon sorbet and gelato, he turned to NorthwestFederal Credit Union.

The $2.5 billion cooperative in Herndon, Va., said Albers wasthe youngest to ever apply for a business account at Northwest Federal.

Albers' dreams of becoming a business owner began with the idea of selling lemon sorbet athis sister Gretchen's lemonade stand, according to the creditunion.

A year and a half later, GG's Frozen Treats had grown into aneighborhood hit with a website, a menu of flavors and shelf spaceat Ashburn Wine Shop, Carolina Brothers BBQ and The Wine'ingButcher.

Albers' family has been members of Northwest Federal for a longtime, according to Grayson's mom, Marty Albers.

“We've had a good experience with them over the years, and knewthey would be the right fit,” she said.

After studying Northwest Federal's website thoroughly, Alberswas prepared when he came to the Leesburg branch including havingall of his completed paperwork and the required documents from theIRS and the state of Virginia, according to the credit union.

“It was clear that he had studied our products and services, andbelieved Northwest Federal would be a good financial partner forhis business,” said Sherry Henein, branch manager at NorthwestFederal's Leesburg branch. “We are very excited to help out such ayoung entrepreneur and to watch his business continue tosucceed.”

With his parents signing as joint account holders, Albers becamethe youngest business owner in the history of Northwest Federal to open abusiness account, the credit union said.

Albers set up a basic business checking account, which comeswith no monthly maintenance fee. Northwest Federal said the accountis designed to help companies like GG's Frozen Treats keep more ofthe money they earn and lets businesses scan and make depositsremotely from their offices or homes – an important feature forAlbers, since he isn't old enough to drive.

Since launching GG's Frozen Treats, Albers said he has learnedthe value of having a good support team. In addition to localrestaurants adding the product to its menus, the business receiveshelp from a neighbor who is a lawyer, a local church that providesuse of its commercial kitchen, and Northwest Federal's financialservices and advice.

He also learned one key business lesson, which is having a goodproduct in the first place.

“We make everything in small batches,” Albers said. “It'shomemade, made fresh, with fresh ingredients.”

While the business is a family affair, with Albers' mom doingthe cooking, his sister serving as the taste tester, and everyonehelping with kitchen clean up, his main role is managing thebusiness aspects.

“I keep track of sales, expenses and taxes,” he said.